Chainsaw sculptors compete this weekend

Posted: Friday, Jun 14th, 2013

The Reedsport and Winchester Bay Chamber of Commerce is presenting the 14th annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championships on this Father’s Day weekend.

Thirty-six professional and semi-pro chainsaw carvers from around the world will converge at Rainbow Plaza in downtown Reedsport, the official Chainsaw Carving Capital of Oregon. Each carver creates a masterpiece over the four-day event, beginning with a large log on Thursday morning.

Each day the carver works in the open air, chips flying, as the crowds walk through the festival, stopping to see the progress each carver is making.

The vendor area is packed with food and gift offerings, as well as a beer and wine bar.

Every day, there is a 90-minute “quick carve” event to create a mini-masterpiece that will be sold at auction that evening.

Watching the carvers bring a massive piece of wood to life as they make incredibly intricate and precise cuts, is a fascinating show.

The evening auction is held on the KCBY Auction Stage at 5:30 p.m. today, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The fun and lively bidding results in some terrific bargains and the rare opportunity to bring home art you’ve actually watched being made.

On Saturday, some additional local events in downtown Reedsport include an Art Walk sponsored by the Coastal Douglas Arts And Business Alliance.

Tables will be arranged on the sidewalk of Fir Ave., showing the work of local artisans. Across the street, the parking lot of Fullhart Insurance will be filled with Corvette cars for the annual show and shine.